Corey Lynch and Larry Asante could team up in place of Cody Grimm

With free safety Cody Grimm on injured reserve, the question remains: Will he be replaced by Corey Lynch or Larry Asante?

The answer is, yes.

Defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake said he envisions using both players in a rotation of sorts against the Colts on Monday, though the player who performs better in practice this week will get the start.

"They both played really good in the preseason," Lake said. "We feel really good about those backup players that are about to be starters. There’s a chance they could both play throughout the game. Or there’s a chance one of them may play. If one of them is real hot, then I’ll stick with that guy. I feel comfortable with both of them."

There are differences between the two. Lynch, because of his body type, is a better fit for covering tight ends, Lake said. Asante, meanwhile, is a good fit against slot receivers. But the Bucs won’t base the safety rotation on the Colts’ personnel.

"Either way, that won’t change our defense," Lake said. "Whoever ends up playing, they just have to matchup with whoever they’re matched with."

It's not a new concept. The Bucs have used a safety rotation before. When head coach Raheem Morris was defensive backs coach, he once used Sabby Piscitelli in a rotation with Tanard Jackson and Jermaine Phillips.

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